Fortuna home invasion preliminary hearing delayed, again

The preliminary hearing for four men accused of spraying a couple and children with bear spray during a Fortuna home invasion in search of marijuana was delayed for the fourth time Friday.

Deputy District Attorney Luke Brownfield said he Monday that he requested the continuance Friday after new discovery material was identified concerning two new potential juvenile witnesses involved in the case. Brownfield said the preliminary hearing has been continued to Tuesday morning.

Suspects James O'Neil, Wyatt Williamson, Gregory Stephens and Trevor Bohn have all pleaded not guilty to 11 felony charges, including conspiracy to commit a crime, assault with a caustic chemical and false imprisonment by violence.

According to a felony complaint prepared by Assistant Humboldt County District Attorney Kelly Neel, the four men forced their way into a 12th Street apartment looking for stolen marijuana.

Using the victims' statements, Fortuna Police Chief William Dobberstein said officers pieced together that the four men forcibly held a couple in a bedroom while demanding marijuana, and sprayed them with bear pepper spray. Five people -- including an infant and a toddler -- were sent to the hospital after they were exposed.

Eureka attorney Michael Robinson, who is representing Williamson, said Monday that he expects no additional continuances from either the defense or Brownfield.

All four men are due to appear back in Humboldt County Superior Court on Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. in courtroom two.